Neither of my high school friends let me in on their secret: they planned to commit suicide. They succeeded.

Not at the same time. And by then we were miles and years apart. But it still shook me to the core when I heard the news. “Death by suicide.” My friends, they were, at least for some fun years. Football. Friday night school dances. Parties. Cruising. Hanging out.

We are now halfway through the 2010 General Assembly Session and while the House of Representatives continues to labor, as constitutionally required, on a budget proposal, the Senate’s work, while on a smaller scale, is no less important. Both House and Senate Appropriations and Revenue chairmen are in close consultation so that when the House budget proposal is finalized and moves to the Senate, we can hit the ground running.

Hey, Margaret Chelf! I’ll be waiting in the front row when you belt out that line!

Steel Magnolias is the latest play being performed by the Central Kentucky Community Theatre. It will be playing February 26-28 and March 5-7. Showtimes are 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

I’m an outdoor guy. I enjoy the warm, sunny days that come along with baseball season, and even the cooler days that bring the college and NFL football seasons.

That’s why even I have been surprised to find myself enjoying the winter Olympics so much this year. Other than basketball and hockey, I’d rather be playing an outdoor sport, or even watching one played outdoors. That’s just me. But this whole winter Olympics thing has found me sitting in my chair with, well, let’s say, other events on the TV.

What a wonderful and welcoming facility we have in our Washington County Library.

As soon as you enter, people are at the computers, others choosing a video, while some are deciding which book they want, or just sitting at a table reading. If you need help finding anything...no worry...a smiling face will be right there for you. Need a copy or two run, they’ll do that also.